Play Date at the Park

Last Sunday it was a beautiful, crisp day so we headed out to a local neighborhood park to meet up with my aunt & uncle and their young English Bulldog, Bella, about whom I've written before here, to chat, enjoy the beautiful weather, and let the dogs run around. 

Tucker doesn't exactly love Bella ... she's bigger, heavier, and has no concept of personal space or doggy etiquette (Tuck is doing his best to educate her on this front, but to little discernible improvement thus far) ... but as long as he isn't in a confined space with her, he is ok.  And they actually did have a good time together sniffing around this park, which they had basically to themselves except for some neighborhood kids who were kicking a soccer ball around.

Some snaps from the outing: 

Tucker was warmly attired for the outing in his red hoodie ... and sporting his new ID tag (more on that later!) 

Tucker & Bella exploring the bridge ... 

Tucker exploring the bridge (this might be my favorite photo of the day) 

More of Tucker on the bridge ... lots to see from up here! 

Bella decided to see if her face would fit through the bars like Tucker's did.  (It doesn't.) 

Bella descending the bridge steps ...

When Bella's play became rougher than he preferred, Tucker simply climbed a tree ... 

 Ha ha you silly Bulldog ... you can't get me up here! 

Not one to dwell on lost opportunities, Bella decided to abandon trying to chew on Tucker's legs (in the most playful manner - no malice intended) and pose for a few more photos.

She really wanted the treat I had in my hand.

No one could say she isn't photogenic! 

Oh, we're leaving?  I guess I'd better get down from here, then! 

On this Wednesday the MP is WONDERING ...

So you've seen a Chinese Crested in a tree ...

But have you ever seen a Bulldog on a coffee table? 

Well, you have now! 

THIS ... 

is Bella ... 

my aunt & uncle's 13 month old English Bulldog ...

who happens to have an extremely serious (and seriously cute) pout when she doesn't get what she wants (whatever that happens to be at any given moment).  

You may be wondering ... "and why exactly is it that she is lying on the coffee table?"  As well, I would agree, you might.  And the answer is ... because she wants to.  And although it's not personally something I would enjoy (for one thing my coffee table is glass and the mere thought of cleaning all that Bulldog drool off of it is enough to make me want to rush out and buy tremendous shares of stock in Windex, even were it safe or desirable to allow a fifty-five pound dog to recline thereon, which of course it is not), the simple fact of life at Casa Bella is that what Bella wants, Bella gets.  With very few exceptions.  In fact, just at this moment, I can't think of even one.  

Now, although you have no way of knowing this, Bella is not the first Bulldog I've been intimately acquainted with.  Growing up, my grandparents had a succession of them throughout my entire childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood.  So I'm very familiar with their stellar temperaments, their quirky personalities, and their trademark stubbornness.  Although, I must say, those Bulldogs of my younger days were rather well behaved.  They walked nicely on lead, and had excellent house manners. They even did tricks. Bella does none of these things.  It isn't that she's not smart, something that is often said of Bulldogs.  She's plenty smart, and in fact she's a whiz at clicker training, being, as she is, highly motivated by treats.  In fact, I'd go so far as to say that Bella's intelligence is nigh to genius level.  How else can you explain coercing two otherwise intelligent, rational individuals into letting you sleep on the coffee table? 

Disclaimer:  Bella is actually a great dog, if a bit quirky (to put it mildly).  She is inexhaustibly sweet and loving, is wonderful with children, and wherever she goes people fall in love with her, myself included.  As to the coffee table thing, I am at a loss.  I guess it's a good thing for Bella that she doesn't live at my house.  The rules are a little LOT different, and I'm not at all sure she would appreciate that.